Counterterrorism resignation; Cuba crisis; ‘invisible shipwrecks’

Your afternoon news update

ADVERTISEMENT View in Browser | APNews DONATE View in Browser | APNews DONATE AP Afternoon Wire Advancing the Power of Facts Policy changes, but facts endure. AP delivers accurate, fact-based journalism to keep the world informed in every administration. Support independent reporting today. Donate. By Amy Langfield March 17, 2026 By Amy Langfield March 17, 2026 Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, a top U.S. counterterrorism official resigns over President Trump's Iran war; U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is calling for "new people in charge" of Cuba; and migrants trying to reach Europe are vanishing in droves in what are known as "invisible shipwrecks." UP FIRST From left, Joseph Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Michael Glasheen, operations director of the National Security Branch of the FBI, raise their arms before the House Committee on Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 11. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Top counterterrorism official Kent resigns over Trump's Iran war, says Iran posed no imminent threat Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing his concerns about the justification for military strikes in Iran and saying he "cannot in good conscience" back the Trump administration's war. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Satellite images begin to show damage wrought by Iran war Trump postpones his China trip to focus on the war Canada was not consulted on Iran war and won't join offensive action, minister says Live updates: Trump insists US can break Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz without allies' help Lebanon has proposed the first direct talks with Israel in decades. It might be too late UN rights report condemns displacement of Palestinians in West Bank A look at the top Iranian official and the head of internal security targeted by Israel Iran's internet blackout silences voices at home as diaspora creators fill the void TOP STORIES People walk outside during a blackout in Havana, Cuba on Monday. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Cuba's latest blackout underscores its deepening economic crisis as Rubio calls for new leadership U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is calling for "new people in charge" of Cuba as the Caribbean nation experienced its third islandwide blackout in four months. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called Cuba a "very weakened nation," said on Monday he believes he'll have the "honor of taking Cuba." On Tuesday, Rubio, who is of Cuban heritage, said the current government is incapable of addressing the problems. The island's government blames its woes on a U.S. energy blockade after Trump in January warned of tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba. The country's aging grid has drastically eroded in recent years, leading to daily outages. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Republicans are launching a voting bill debate that could last days or even weeks Supreme Court to hear arguments over push to end legal protections for migrants from Haiti, Syria Mills and Platner spar over attack ad in intensification of Maine primary to face Susan Collins Trump's tax law changes may increase the number of donors, but reduce donations to nonprofits Man charged with planting pipe bombs before the Jan. 6 riot argues Trump's mass pardons apply to him College Republicans sue University of Florida's president over deactivation of its chapter Hundreds of migrants are vanishing in the Mediterranean. Authorities are withholding information Migrants trying to reach Europe are vanishing in droves in what are known as "invisible shipwrecks" but governments responsible for search and rescue are withholding information about what they know. The beginning of 2026 ranks as the deadliest start to any year for people trying to cross the Mediterranean. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ WATCH: Migrants are vanishing in the Mediterranean. So is access to information from authorities ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS Revolutionary War reenactors line up outside St. Augustine Chapel and Cemetery in South Boston, Tuesday, before firing muskets during Evacuation Day commemorations marking the 250th anniversary of the British withdrawal from Boston. (AP Photo/Leah Willingham) Evacuation Day: Muskets crack, drums echo as Boston marks 250 years since British departure  Epstein fallout: Bank of America settles claims over lawsuits by Jeffrey Epstein victims Nigeria: 23 killed, 108 wounded in suspected suicide bombings Escalating tensions: Ecuador's president rejects allegations that his government is bombing targets inside Colombia Financial case: Vatican appeals court declares mistrial in 'trial of the century' against cardinal France: Far right makes gains in first-round municipal elections Ant smuggling allegations: 2 men found with hundreds of ants are charged with illegally dealing in wildlife in Kenya Shigeaki Mori: Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor and historian embraced by Obama dies at 88 'The IPCRESS File' writer: Len Deighton, author of bestselling spy thrillers, dies at 97 In photos: Moscow Fashion Week WATCH: Budapest's vintage 'freight trams' celebrate 100 years in transit service TRENDING Metropolitan Opera Orchestra principal trumpet player Billy R. Hunter Jr. practices with a holztrompete at the Metropolitan Opera in New York on Feb. 28. (AP Photo/Ron Blum) A wooden holztrompete joins the Met's new 'Tristan und Isolde' production About 4 1/2 hours after the first notes of Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde," a startling sound emerges from the wings, one many in the audience likely have never heard before. A nearly 4-foot wooden horn known as a holztrompete, specially constructed to the composer's somewhat ambiguous specifications, signals the arrival of the ship carrying Isolde and King Marke to Brittany. "It blows my mind to think that Wagner created it himself," said bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green, who sings Marke. "How many humans have created an instrument? It really sounds like victory." Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Amy Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Amy SUPPORT THE AP. DONATE. Manage preferences | Privacy policy | Unsubscribe   *Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here. ADVERTISEMENT